prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .007

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▶ TDM .007

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"Blue Oyster Cult - Shooting Shark" (Watch on YouTube)

You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. Even the few shy moon creatures you find in the wild have strange crystal growths on their hides. This is far from home— perhaps a dream? You pinch your skin and slap your cheeks, yet nothing seems to do the trick. Searching for answers yields nothing but an endless expanse of purple dust as far as the eye can see. You have four options: one, panic; two, soil yourself; three, admire it all then soil yourself; or four, go into survival mode. Eventually, you’ll realize that you’re not alone.

▶ Keep all Hands and Feet inside the Burning Vehicle at all Times
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Outer Space | top

After a day or two of living off the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. After the strange phenomenon during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? Why did I mix tequila with xanax last night? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay.

While waiting for transport to be prepared, you may freely roam around the government center. Eventually you’re called back from exploring, escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the moons and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as Prismal locals. The next destination: Prismatica.

A. After settling into the ship and selecting the current in-flight movie, Back Door Slugs 9, you and those around you may eventually feel a bit of turbulence during the movie’s highly anticipated climax. Did anyone notice it, or is everyone too focused on the hot characters?

At first, it’s a small jitter that’s easy to miss or brush off. But as the transport vessel travels on, the shaking progressively escalates to erratic tremors strong enough to cause severe nausea. A minute later, a voice over the speaker announces the ship will have to make an emergency landing, citing technical difficulties.

Sparks can be seen overhead as more ship parts malfunction. This is a good time to hold your neighbor’s hand, say your last goodbyes, and apologize for that horrible thing you did in the sixth grade. Grip your seat with the might of every god you can think of.

B. Another minute later, a follow-up announcement states that external entities have breached the transport vessel. Everyone is warned to be careful and watch out for each other. Small fires will have to be put out before they worsen with either magic or emergency equipment onboard such as extinguishers. In-flight robotic attendants will be scuttling around to perform immediate repairs.

Eventually, an entire power panel bursts, and prismatic jellyfish unnaturally spill out. The jellyfish will try to latch and suction onto any technological devices close by such as the television screens on the seats or communicators and will show preference to Iris Moonblessed over the rest. Be ready to help and pull numerous jellyfish off both the faces of Moonblessed and Prismals!

▶ Jaws IV: Jaws Harder
Planet Prismatica, Outer Lunatia | top

The emergency landing successfully completes and the transport vessel will safely land on top of a gorgeous lake filled with tiny glaciers floating by. When reached out and touched, you’ll find out that the “glaciers” are surprisingly cool crystals and not ice.

The ship will be left hovering idly on the water surface while passengers are ferried to solid ground using portable emergency boats. However, civilization is still a distance away.

A. You’ve probably heard of flying sharks from a veteran Moonblessed. But how about sea lions? These aquatic lions are born with scaly skin and gills outside of their crystallized manes. Unfortunately, they haven’t tasted fresh meat in quite some time. If there are any injured onboard or near your boat, the chances of the sea lions detecting people will be higher as they are drawn to the scent of blood. Growling hungrily, they will be quick to latch onto the boats, biting the edges, and trying to knock everyone overboard for dinner.

After surviving through so far, the Prismals guide everyone to a nearby encampment run by humanoid rabbits. They are tall, built, and have a habit of mentioning their virility an awkward amount of times. They are also generous and will share their game meat and fresh crops while allowing everyone to rest for the night at the only inn in their village.

B. There is no running water all the way out here, so if anyone wants a bath, they’ll have to do it traditionally. The village protects a natural spring, which is a good place to bathe away the sea water. Around the spring, the rabbit folk’s friends — little scintilla chinchillas — will shock away any predators that dare to approach their sanctuary! Be at ease and feel free to offer your friends shampoo massages.

The next day, the rabbits can be seen hacking away at some of the wilder-looking plants for an easier pathway. If you wake up early enough, you can ask some of them for a tour of the beautiful greenery. They mention that it’s thanks to the Moonblessed that their crops have been doing so well lately — the result of all the chroma influx. The rest of the journey to the city will be smooth sailing.

▶ It’s Free Real-Estate
Level 2, City of Lunatia | top

Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A. Find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

B. A new high-end boutique, Prissy Polyp, has opened in Level 2. As compensation for what happened, both Moonblessed and Prismals that were affected in yesterday’s flight will receive 50% off their total purchase. Those unaffected will receive 30% discount coupons as a promotional gift. All are encouraged to visit with their friends or special someone, try on some things together, ~~enjoy each other in the fitting rooms~~, and deal with the loud, ear-blistering background pop music.

Their clothing collections are characterized by bright iridescent designs, some features such as design patterns may glow ethereally in the dark. One of their signature dresses features a one piece (also available on their trench coats) that can amplify the appearance of one’s decolletage, gluteal muscles, and/or bulge with the press of a neon button. Another item among their collection is the maiden sweater: a sleek, backless sweater that shocks those who attempt unwanted touches. Others include skin-tight leggings (also available on their shorts or pants) which produce pleasant and relaxing vibrations on all lower extremities and fashionable polyp-shaped hats for all kinds of people. It’s a huge shop, you never know what else to find in there.

▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

▶ IMPORTANT! By request, we've uploaded image samples for the Prissy Polyp clothing collections! Note these are merely samples for a visual guide and we will leave more selections to players.

▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She'd been here earlier, but in her attempts to evade an over-affectionate rabbit guide who clearly wanted to join her in the hot springs, she'd ended up not staying long or getting to relax.

Except now it was late and she'd snuck out to enjoy herself on her own, not realizing that someone else might have the same idea.

...Not that she had any intention of letting herself be deterred from her goal this time. She'd also fought off her fair share of jellyfish and sea lions, and that didn't even touch on what she'd been through before landing here.

Which is why his comment is greeted with the arch of one eyebrow, her expression dry and unflinching as she starts stripping out of her tac jacket to reveal the tank top beneath it. ]

I guess it sucks to be you then, doesn't it? I'm not going anywhere.

[ Well, it wouldn't be fun if it was easy, right? ... Actually right about now easy would be kind of nice, to be honest, but if it's a snark-off that they're starting up then a snark-off it will be.

He touches his fingertips to his lip in feigned shock, gasping. ]

So callous! So insensitive! I'll never recover!

[ ... He says, already finding a dry patch of ground to toss his shirt onto. It seems like he's not going anywhere, either. ]

If I blush, you're not allowed to make fun of me.

[ The quick comeback has a bemused smirk tugging on the corner of her lips now as she shoots him a sideways glance and continues stripping out of her jacket, laying it on one of the nearby rocks so it will stay dry. ]

If you blush that easily? All bets are off. You probably deserve to be made fun of in that case.

[ Considering that tone of voice he'd quipped back at her? She's pretty certain blushing isn't something he does easily. ]

[ Is she surmising that he might be... dishonest? Perish the thought. ]

What a bully.

[ He does... hesitate when it comes to taking off his pants, but not for the normal reasons of modesty that one might assume. No, it's safe to say that Mercury is distinctly lacking in modesty and shame alike. But there's something that he normally keeps hidden, kind of an ace up his sleeve...

Eh. Screw it. He probably doesn't have much to gain from hiding it anymore, anyway.

So he'll take the time to pull his boots off, his pants following soon behind. Now, there are a few things that one might decide are attention-worthy when it comes to Mercury. He's a young man, just barely past 21 years old, yet he has a full head of gray hair. His arms and torso, while certainly muscular, are also littered with scars of different shapes and sizes. But the most intriguing thing now (more than the black boxer-briefs he wears, certainly) is most likely the fact that, from the knees down, his legs are entirely robotic. ]

Picking on a cripple, have you no honor?

[ Natasha doesn't really possess much modesty either and shame... well, that's reserved for other matters and certainly not something like this. Her jacket discarded, she's undoing the thick belt around her waist that holds the majority of her (visible) equipped weapons and is unbuttoning the tight pants she wears as well. She's sporting a few of her own scars - one or two knife wounds, although several seem to be bullet holes, but there's surprisingly less on her skin than there probably should be, considering her occupation.

She noticed the hesitation and had been all prepared to relent and turn away to give him his own privacy, but then he goes and makes a show of it, throwing in another taunt to boot instead.

Her eyebrows lift as her gaze drifts over him curiously for a moment, taking in the scars before going lower and observing the metal limbs that start below his knees. Taking in his manner, her reply is more even than sarcastic, but mildly challenging as well. ]

I don't see a cripple. Enhanced, maybe. And you started the bullying. I just wanted a peaceful soak in the hot springs.

[ "Enhanced"... makes it sound like he went in for an upgrade. Like it was a choice, almost. It really wasn't, at the end of the day, but that's a whole long talk of darker days that he really doesn't want to get into. Surprise surprise, the edgy dude isn't into talking about his past or the feelings related to it.

Her weapons, of course, were a pretty dead giveaway to her profession (or at least the fact that combat was the main element of it), so he isn't too surprised to see the scars. They're not all that different from his own, though some of his seem like they were from far messier wounds than just a knife would leave. Mercury Black action figure, complete with Battle Damage, coming to a store near you. ]

And I wanted an isolated soak in the hot springs, but we can't both have what we want, can we?

[ That's just his way of things - if he can't be happy, might as well make other people miserable. ]

Guess it could be worse, though. You could be a fat dude.

[ charming ]

[ He doesn't let that topic continue, which is telling in itself, but she understands not delving into dark pasts so easily and she certainly isn't about to press him. So she lets the conversation remain more light-hearted bickering, even as she kicks off her pants and stands there in a dark sports bra and panties.

She lifts a shoulder in a shrug, even as she steps towards the water as if content to just wade in in that, considering she's not alone. ]

Technically so did I, but I'm not the one bitching about it, am I?

[ It seems pretty casual. If you're trying to make her miserable, you're not really trying hard enough, kid.

His comment does earn a snicker from her, though, even as she dips a toe in the water to test the temperature. ]

Then you'd really have to worry about dropping the soap.

Bitching about things is healthy! It's called venting.

[ He's not... nearly polite enough to not give her another once-over. Definitely not a fat dude - and she's rolling with the sarcastic punches. This might not be too bad after all, but good luck getting him to offer something close to flattery.

Her retort actually brings the tug of a smirk to the corner of his lips, though it falters after a moment. ]

Dropping the-- ah, shit. I knew I forgot something.

[ Did he actually come all this way without grabbing soap

Signs point to yes. ]

There's a difference between healthy venting and bitching. Are you sure you recognize where that line is?

[ Fortunately, she's not looking for flattery and would have probably ignored it even if he had offered some. She's aware he gives her another once-over, but she knows what she looks like and doesn't really pay it any mind. She'd given him her own assessment a moment before, after all.

But then he stutters over his next sentence and she glances up to see him grimace before letting out a low laugh. ]

Looks like you're lucky I wandered along after all.

[ Reaching back to fumble through one of her belt pouches, she tosses him a small travel bottle across the spring, filled with a liquid that works as both shampoo and body wash. Not high-quality stuff, obviously, but works in a crisis.

Considering they're taking a bath in the middle of nowhere, she figures this counts. ]

Didn't come very prepared, did you?

[ He snatches the bottle out of midair, scowling a little. There's something very annoying about all this, something that makes him seriously consider dumping the contents of the bottle onto the ground out of spite. He hates having to rely on anyone else, and that has nothing to do with his legless state.

He took a stand, once. Proved he was strong. Needing help from a total stranger didn't sit well, that's all.

But smelling like a men's locker room sits worse, so he just shrugs a shoulder. ]

I'm sure you've noticed, but it's been kind of a long day.

[ He takes a second to open the bottle, sniffing the contents briefly. Eh. It'll do. Not like he has a choice, anyway. ]

You getting in, or what?

[ He asks... still out of the spring, himself. ]

[ At least the soap doesn't smell overly feminine - it's not meant to, after all, and that would be careless of her, to have anything on her with so obvious a scent. He seems pretty grumpy about being caught out at all but she doesn't comment on it - she's guessing he's the sort that wouldn't give a thank you even with pulling teeth.

Instead, she just takes him up on the not-invitation and finally slides down into the hot springs, letting loose a soft, pleased groan as she does so. Sinking down on a rock ledge beneath the water, she lets her head tip back against the edge, just relishing the sting of heat for a long moment. ]

Okay, I might take back every bad thing I said about this place, this might make everything worth it.

[ For that one moment, when she's sinking into the water and he's on solid ground, he has the upper hand. It's a minor thing, but it matters to him that she lowers her defenses first. When you grow up like he did you see the potential for a fight in every encounter, and this one is no exception. The fact that she set her weapons aside meant little - the fact that she was completely relaxing right in front of him, on the other hand, felt a little more reassuring.

So he follows suit, stepping right into the spring (he doesn't have toes to dip into the water, so there's no point in that gesture) and lowering himself similarly on the side opposite her. For how tense he had been the heat was immediately gratifying, and he can practically feel his own annoyance and frustration melt away into the water around him. A long sigh escapes him as if to say "finally", and he offers a grunt of acknowledgment to her statement. ]

Don't worry, I'll pick up the slack and badmouth everything twice as much for you. What can I say, I'm a giver.

[ Natasha often sees the potential of a fight regardless, and just because she's relaxing in a hot spring with a stranger across from her hardly means she's not ready for a fight, should the need arise. But then again, it's often when people think her defenses are down that she can be at her most dangerous, because that's when they start underestimating her.

For right now, though? She's not looking to start anything and as she doesn't know this kid from Adam, she's only treating him as a typical stranger right now unless he decides to make things interesting.

One eye peeks open slightly as he settles in across from her, giving a long sigh as he sinks into the water. ]

So it's a hobby of yours, huh? Good to know. I was beginning to wonder if I was just special.

Don't worry, you're not.

[ The reply is almost immediate, as if being a dick just comes to him as naturally as breathing air. But the grin's found its way back to his lips, so at least he seems a little less terse than he had been at the onset.

On the other hand, a grinning Mercury had the potential to be a harbinger of disaster on its own.

Time will tell.

He rolls his shoulders for a moment, trying to work a bit of the stress out of them. ]

First bathing partner I've ever had though, so I guess you can put that feather in your cap.

[ She gives a low laugh at that, lazy and relaxed, as she stretches her own limbs out beneath the water. At least most of the scrapes and bruises she'd arrived with have mostly faded now - she certainly looked much worse before the Knights found her.

Either way, the hot springs right now is bliss on a body that's been a little too abused a little too often of late.

Saving the world is exhausting. ]

Okay, I take it back. Now I feel special.

[ So's ruining it. They should trade notes. ~~they probably shouldn't~~

Not that he's been up to that business for a while, and not that he was ever personally invested in it. He did the things he had to do, that's all there is to it. Sometimes you have to take certain opportunities from questionable sources. Sometimes those decisions end up with you being in way over your head. That's life.

He wouldn't change a thing. He tells himself that, anyway.

With a grunt he stretches out his own legs beneath the water (though he only really feels it in his thighs, for obvious reasons). Depending on how large this spring of undetermined size is, that might end up with a metal limb or two encroaching on her personal space.

But that's not his problem. ]

Careful - I think I see you blushing, now.

[ Oh, she already knows that's too. That was a long time ago for her, however. And does he even take notes?

He might encroach on her personal space, but luckily she doesn't take up much herself and she just angles her legs in such a way that she still has plenty of room.

Still, the faint smirk remains quirked up on one corner of her lips, because she's enjoying the back-and-forth with him. He's obviously a little brat, probably too full of himself for his own good, but that doesn't make the exchange any less enjoyable in the moment. It's entertaining, and she always relishes finding people who can give as good as they get. They're rarer than you'd think. ]

I think that's wishful thinking on your part, kiddo. Speaking of which, you got a name? Or should I just invent one for you? Careful picking that option, it will probably be mortifying.

[ He barely even reads, he definitely doesn't take notes.

He wouldn't admit it out loud, but this little chat so far hasn't been as bad as he'd expected it would be. He's never really been much of a people person and that certainly hasn't changed, but for a chance encounter? It's doable. Mostly because she's sharp, partly because she's hot.

What? He's shallow. Big surprise. ]

I almost want to see what your creative genius would come up with, but if you'd rather take the easy way out then Mercury will do just fine.

[ She looks amused and taps a fingertip against her chin for a long moment, as if in thought. ]

Lessee. What do you look like? Gordon? Hubert? Sylvester?

[ He looks like none of those, but that's half the point. ]

Maybe Humperdinck.

[ Honestly, a couple of those aren't bad. Gordon Black? Sylvester Black? Not the worst sounding names a person could have.

Hubert and Humperdinck, though. ]

Don't forget about the most masculine of all names - Melvin.

[ He mimes her pose, fingertip at his chin. ]

So you're... what, a Karen? You strike me as a Karen.

Only when I'm being unreasonable.

[ She quips a comeback with ease, sly smile lingering on her lips. ]

Which is never, of course. I'm Natasha.

[ Although she has been a Karen before. At least twice, that she can remember off the top of her head. Belize and... Denver, maybe? That sounded right. That was a long time ago. ]

Natasha. You prefer Natty, or Tosh?

[ He asks while squeezing some of the soap out of the bottle into the palm of his hand, getting to work on his arms and shoulders. Hey, at least he won't have to use as much to clean his legs!

Unsure of whether she has another bottle for herself (and not asking if she needs it yet) he casually flicks his wrist to lob the bottle back her way. ]

Or She Who Delivers Soap.

[ She catches it with ease, the bottle smacking into her palm as she squeezes out enough for herself as well. ]

If you try and call me either of those, I'm drowning you in this hot spring.

[ The threat is delivered in a perfectly cheerful tone as she works the soap into a lather and then abruptly dips down into the water to wet her hair. Coming back up, she starts to wash it, casting him a crooked grin again. ]

Are you sure you want to be the one giving me the soap-related nicknames right now? That could reflect badly on your poor ego if people ask for the meaning behind it.

[ Because she obviously would embellish something like that. ]

So do you have the 'good' luck of having just been drafted here, too?

That a promise?

[ Indication that he's down to rumble? Indication that he's got issues? Both? Both, probably.

He takes a moment to dip his arms and shoulders under the water, rinsing the soap off as he shrugs. ]

Hey, I've had worse reputations than that. You might be doing me a kindness.

[ "Wanted murderer" is a bit much for a reputation, but shhhhh.]

Fresh off the boat, yeah. Not my first time hopping worlds though, but it never stops being weird.

[ Her fingers pause in the action of massaging the soap through her hair as she glances over at him, curiosity more than piqued now. ]

Well, that's a claim you don't often hear. World-hopping a thing where you come from? Or are you just that lucky.

[ 'Lucky' being a matter of perspective, of course. ]

▶ TDM .007

Jaws B.

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